CONTINUED VOLATILITY IN PAPUA

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001943

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS ID
SUBJECT: CONTINUED VOLATILITY IN PAPUA

REF: JAKARTA 1929 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Tensions continue to ratchet up in the
Papua region of eastern Indonesia. Following large rallies
last week, Papuans again demonstrated in Jayapura, the
capital of Papua, on October 20. Police cracked down on the
marchers, arresting at least 18 Papuans, including a
well-known activist. Police may have already released some
of those arrested. Contacts report that tensions continue to
be high on October 21. Papuan activists seem to be torquing
up their anti-Jakarta activities ahead of December 1, a date
commemorating the raising of the Papuan "Morning Star" flag.
END SUMMARY.

ANOTHER LARGE RALLY


2. (SBU) There is continued volatility in Papua. Hundreds
of Papuans demonstrated in Jayapura on October 20. The
protesters were protesting against the Act of Free Choice by
which Papua was integrated into the Indonesian union in 1969.
They also shouted slogans against Jakarta, complaining that
the GOI had not done enough to develop the region and was not
truly interested in the region's situation. Rally goers also
celebrated the reported meeting of some British Members of
Parliament with Papuan activists in London last week.

POLICE ARREST 18 PAPUANS


3. (SBU) Contacts report that the protest proceeded in a
generally peaceful manner. The police subsequently cracked
down, however, and arrested 18 Papuans for possible "treason"
based on their alleged roles in planning the recent rallies.
(Note: In addition to the October 20 rally, large, peaceful
rallies were held in several Papua locations on October
16--see reftel.) Included among those arrested was Buchtar
Tabuni, who is a known anti-Jakarta activist. He has been
active in condemning the Act of Free Choice for some time,
for example. Buchtar allegedly has been at the forefront of
organizing the recent rallies. There are reports that
Buchtar and perhaps some of the other Papuans have been
released, pending further questioning.

CONTINUED TENSIONS


4. (SBU) Contacts report continued tension in Papua as of
October 21. Large numbers of police are reportedly on the
streets of Jayapura and also of Nabire and Maniokwari, two
other cities in the Papuan region. We have not received
reports of additional rallies or of any problems. Contacts
say that the situation is a bit tense, however, with many
Papuans angered about the arrests.

WORKING TOWARD DECEMBER 1


5. (C) There is little doubt that Papuan activists are
torquing up their anti-Jakarta activities ahead of December
1, a date commemorating the raising of the Papuan "Morning
Star" flag in 1961. Papuans in the main clearly remain
highly frustrated with the Indonesian government, feeling
that not enough is being done to deal with problems in the
generally poor region. The GOI seems to be generally acting
with restraint. That said, it clearly is not about to allow
Papuans to take to the streets and engage in separatist
rhetoric. Already, some Indonesians are demanding that the
government complain directly to the British government over
the MPs who reportedly met with Papuan activists.
HUME